Getting acquainted
As we prepare for our discussion of In the Name of Jesus beginning October 15, let’s spend some time introducing ourselves. As a way of doing that, share with the group a favorite Nouwen book or quote.
I’m Jack Given, moderator for discussion of In the Name of Jesus. Married, grandfather of 4, from Valparaiso, Indiana. My wife and I first became aware of Henri Nouwen at a Brennan Manning retreat several years ago. Nouwen’s writings have been an oasis in a spiritual community desert. My favorite Nouwen quote is “What happened invites you to conversion. This is the deepest meaning of history: a constant invitation calling us to turn our hearts to God and so discover the full meaning of our lives.” ( Here and Now,page 73)
I am currently reading Clowning in Rome. I’ve been challenged by the richness of solitude. And, as often happens in reading a Nouwen book, I’ve had an “ah ha” experience as I’ve read the parts on praying without ceasing. I’ve become aware of how unceasing prayer is developing in my life and I’ve been encouraged that “many of the disturbing thoughts that seem to distract us are being transformed into the on-going praise of God (which leads me back, of course, to my favorite Nouwen quote about calling us to conversion and discovering the full meaning of our lives).
Looking forward to sharing ideas and inputs of this book over the next couple of months. Let’s all pray that we are challenged, blessed and enabled to be a blessing as a result of our sharing together.
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October 24th, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
Hello,as I read the other comments I hesitate to jump in because this is my first Nouwen book. I am fifty years old and my husband and I just moved to rural Tennessee after he was unemployeed for a year. I have been actively involved in Christian formation at my former church. I am delighted to have this forum because I really miss not being connected for Christian growth. We have two college children. I am a health care professional but am disabled. I look forward to discovering what Nouwen says about leadership.
October 20th, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
Good afternoon.
I just discovered this website yesterday,
and am late for the start of this Book Discussion, but look forward to being a part of this community.
I am a 61-year-old retired United Methodist pastor, read some of Nouwen’s books when I was in seminary, and look forward to becoming re-acquainted with his work.
I discovered this site because of another Nouwen event I’d like to share with you -
an E-course, “Practicing Spirituality with Henri J. M. Nouwen,” November 1-December 10 at http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=25
I hope to see some of you there!
October 16th, 2007 @ 9:00 am
Good morning. I am most pleased that we are starting another study. I found the last one so enlightening.
I was raised in Indiana and have lived in Connecticut for last 32 years. I spent two years in the military and over 35 years working in the Corporate world. We have four children and five grandchildren.
In college, I hit a bump in my faith journey. It took me forty years to return to church and to try to become a better servant of the Lord. For the last several years, I have been involved in helping not-for-profits and our church (a Protestant denomination) using the techniques I learned in the secular world and gifts He gave me. Sometimes I regret it took me forty years to return.
I have read a number of Nouwen’s book. About a year ago, we read Life of the Beloved in our small group at church.
October 15th, 2007 @ 7:55 pm
Hi,
I’m Janet. I teach a pre-k class in a public school in Asheville, NC. My husband and I have been married for nearly 27 years and we have a son and daughter who are finishing up college. We are members of an Episcopal church. I am also an oblate of St. Meinrad Archabbey and enjoy taking communion to the homebound in our church family.
One of my favorite Henri Nouwen’s books is The Return of the Prodigal Son. I’m reminded how Henri mentioned that we need to become the parent. Our book club discussed it. We have a print of the painting in the library at our church. I also find I have to remind myself that I am beloved of God.Henri’s writing really speaks to me. I am looking forward to this discussion online.
Peace,
Janet
October 15th, 2007 @ 11:55 am
Hi!
It’s great to know that Henri has brought us back together once again, and thanks to you Jack for moderating this great book. Welcome to the newcomer’s! I am forty-seven and have been happily married to my lovely wife for seventeen years and we have two beautiful daughters, ages twelve and fifteen. There are so many favorite Nouwen quotes, however, one doesn’t stick out at this moment, but his words seem to always come when I need to hear them the most. The mysteries that await us will truly be transforming and faith building in our walk together.
Phillip
October 14th, 2007 @ 9:52 am
I’m new to this. I’ve been receiving the daily meditations for awhile now and they frequently give me a lot to think about. I began reading Henri Nouwen about 6 years ago when I was given a Lenten meditation booklet based on The Prodigal Son. I was captured. I’ve since read several of his books and did a course on Nouwen’s spirituality through correspondance. It was yet another step in my own journey. I’m looking forward to the upcoming discussion. Sheila
October 6th, 2007 @ 9:26 pm
Hello to all. This weekend I attended a morning retreat by Sr. Sue Moesteller in Indiana. It was based on the Life of the Beloved. She is a wonderful speaker. I had the pleasure of meeting Jack Given at this retreat. I have been married for 40 years to Gary and we have 2 grown kids, a son and a daughter who are both married. Our son and his wife just had their second daughter so we are blessed with 2 beautiful granddaughters Gabrielle (22 months) and Jacquelyn (3 weeks). I just spent a week helping their mom try to keep up with them.
I live in Portage, Mi and am the leader of a Small Christian Community at our church. We have been meeting for about 6 years and we have studied Can you Drink this Cup and The Return of the Prodigal Son. Our group loves Henri and 14 of us attended the retreat this weekend.
I love Henri’s writing and am always struck by how profound and touching his words are and how he shares from the very deepest part of his soul. I have been deeply affected by how deep is his faith as well as how intense is his doubt and despair. He is so real.
I am looking forward to reading the Inner Voice and sharing with all of you what we discover about each other along the way.
I work in Pastoral Care at a large catholic parish here in Michigan. I am in charge of all our funerals along with providing visitors for the sick, hospitalized, homebound, etc. and providing meals and support for all those in need in our parish. It is difficult but rewarding work. Irene
October 5th, 2007 @ 11:13 pm
Hi All,
Welcome to you two new comers, Jan and Leigh. Henri has been my companion for many years and I have read quite a few books. My favourite is “The Life of the Beloved.” And I have read it at least three times. I, like so many of us, need to be reminded that I, too, am God’s beloved.
I am a wife of 39 years and mother of five beautiful children (ages 38 to 32) - 2 very bright & loving and 3 very special handicapped girls. All of these children are a delight to us. I am a Gramma of three and my hubby and I do childcare for our youngest one (17mos.) 5 days a week. And he keeps us young and tired enough to sleep well at night!
I taught primary school until forced to quit due to FXTAS - a rare form of Ataxia. I then volunteered in a care home for 17 years being greatly rewarded by those beautiful people who shared themselves with me. I tutored handicapped children of parents who could not afford to pay because I know what it is like to just scape by - always I fell in love with those children.
Now I am at a place where I can certainly understand what Henri means by “downward mobility” because that is precisely where I am at, and that is okay with me. I am very much looking forward to this book as I have been reading it and it really speaks to me. We are all called to be leaders in one way or another. I pray we can all come to share and grow through this group with Henri.
October 5th, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
Hello all,
I am Judith. I use Chick Smith as there are 8 Judith Smiths within 10 miles of my home!!! I’ve been married to Murray for 37 years and have two free spirited children Erin, 29 and Colin 26.
I first became acquainted with Henri years ago in: With Open Hands, Clowning in Rome, In Memoriam…I then met him at the Huronia Regonial Center as a guest speaker with Sister Sue Moesteller in the 80s. I have been a nurse for 39 years, the past 27 specializing in palliative care as a private duty nurse in the home. I have worked with pastoral staff trying to develop Parish Nursing in our region with very disappointing results.
My books of Henri’s are heavily marked with favorite passages. As I mentioned earlier, for prayer I favour: “God give me the strength to think clearly, speak freely and act boldly in your service.”
Although I do believe I am following a calling to walk with and support those marginalized by our society I find the support is reciprocal and the people God places in my life-path have been my teachers.
I am amazed with new technology making our world smaller and melting millions of miles between us.
Thank you to each of you willing to come along on this journey. I look forward to our discoveries together.
May Henri be smiling on each of us.
Judith
October 5th, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Hi all,
I’m still figuring this forum out, so bear with me please!
I’m 31 years old and I work in banking. My father introduced me to Nouwen’s Prodigal Son and I’m working my way through the rest.
I converted to Catholicism two years ago after being raised without any religion. I was filled with convert’s fever but now I’m feeling a little bit distant from Jesus. But I’m not panicking-yet!
I found this forum after a Nouwen google search and look forward to starting In the Name of Jesus.
Thank you!
Leigh
October 3rd, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
Hi! Hope it’s OK for me to jump in here! My name is Jan and I live in Rural Hall, NC. I am a school teacher but am also in grad school getting my Ed.S degree in Mental Health Counseling.
I learned about Henri Nouwen from a dear friend who is helping me to navigate my life! I am currently reading Life of the Beloved. (I have others that I haven’t read - YET!)
One of my favorite Nouwen quotes is “Follow your desire.” (Life of the Beloved, p. 16) I am amazed at how God had directed me to this book at this time in my life. I am struggling with a call to ministry and the self-rejection that Henri talks about as being “the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the Beloved.” (Life of the Beloved, p.33) Following your desire seems so terribly frightening and exciting at the same time. I am listening for more.
I feel like I am on the same journey Henri talks about in trying to realize that I am really the Beloved. How I long to be God’s Beloved and know His favor rests on me.
I learned about the Henri Nouwen Society in the back of this book and then my friend mentioned it the very next day. Then I found the online book group. There again, I am amazed at the timing of my dealing with the call to ministry and finding this group dealing with the book In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership.
I can’t wait to see what God is up to! I am excited about being a part of this adventure as we read this book together.